Kevala jnana

Kevala jnana (Sanskrit: केवल ज्ञान) or Kevala gyana, also known as Kaivalya, means omniscience in Jainism and is roughly translated as complete understanding^[1] or supreme wisdom.^[2]

Kevala jnana is believed to be an intrinsic quality of all souls. This quality is masked by karmic particles that surround the soul. Every soul has the potential to obtain omniscience by shedding off these karmic particles. Jain scriptures speak of twelve stages through which the soul achieves this goal. A soul who has attained kevala jnana is called a kevalin (केवलिन्).^[3] According to the Jains, only kevalins can comprehend objects in all aspects and manifestations; others are only capable of partial knowledge.^[4]

The views of two sects of Jainism, Digambara and Śvētāmbara Jains differ on the subject of kevalins. According to Digambaras, a kevalin does not experience hunger or thirst, whereas according to Svetambaras, a kevalin has normal human needs and he travels and preaches too. Digambara Jains believe that they do not act in the normal sense of the word, that they sit motionless in padmasana, and that their bodies emit Divyadhvani, a sacred sound which is interpreted by their followers as the fundamental truth.^[5]^[6] According to both traditions, the last kevalin was a disciple of one of the eleven chief disciples of the last tirthankara, Mahāvīra; his name is recorded as Jambuswami.^[7] It is also believed that no one after Jambuswami will have the ability to obtain kevala jnana.

^ Sharma 1991, p. 49
^ Kumar 2001, p. 3
^ Jaini 2000, p. 51
^ Jaini 1998, p. 91
^ Dundas 2002, p. 45 45
^ Kabay, Paul (9 May 2013). "Interpreting the Divyadhvani: On Why the Digambara Sect Is Right about the Nature of the Kevalin". Philosophy East and West. 63 (2): 176–193. doi:10.1353/pew.2013.0020. ISSN 1529-1898. S2CID 56062884.
^ Shah 2004, p. 39

[1] Sharma 1991, p. 49

[2] Kumar 2001, p. 3

[3] Jaini 2000, p. 51

[4] Jaini 1998, p. 91

[5] Dundas 2002, p. 45 45

[6] Kabay, Paul (9 May 2013). "Interpreting the Divyadhvani: On Why the Digambara Sect Is Right about the Nature of the Kevalin". Philosophy East and West. 63 (2): 176–193. doi:10.1353/pew.2013.0020. ISSN 1529-1898. S2CID 56062884.

[7] Shah 2004, p. 39

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